U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers found nearly $15 million in methamphetamine hidden inside a commercial celery shipment entering Texas. The discovery happened Aug. 15 at the Pharr International Bridge cargo facility near the U.S.-Mexico border. A tractor-trailer arrived from Reynosa, Mexico, carrying a manifested load of fresh produce. Officers referred the vehicle for additional inspection, according to a U.S. Customs and Border Protection announcement.
CBP personnel used nonintrusive inspection equipment while examining the commercial cargo. The technology identified anomalies that prompted officers to conduct a physical search. Inspectors discovered hundreds of packages containing suspected narcotics among the shipment. The examination revealed the scale of drugs concealed within the load.
1,675 pounds discovered
Authorities removed 721 packages during the inspection. CBP reported the bundles contained 1,675.5 pounds of methamphetamine. Officials estimated the narcotics had a street value of $14.978 million. The agency also seized the tractor-trailer involved in the crossing.
“This massive seizure illustrates the importance of our border security mission and our commitment to keeping our communities safe,” Port Director Carlos Rodriguez stated. He oversees the Hidalgo/Pharr/Anzalduas Port of Entry. Rodriguez credited frontline personnel with preventing dangerous drugs from reaching American communities. CBP announced the interception Wednesday.
The Pharr-Reynosa International Bridge connects Pharr, Texas, with Reynosa, Tamaulipas. Its cargo facility handles commercial traffic moving between Mexico and the United States. Fresh produce represents an important portion of cross-border trade through the region. The latest discovery involved a legitimate commodity used as the manifested cargo.
Federal investigation underway
Homeland Security Investigations opened a criminal investigation following the seizure. CBP did not identify the driver in its announcement. Officials also provided no carrier name or ownership information for the tractor-trailer. The release included no criminal charges connected with the shipment.
Authorities have not disclosed where smugglers placed the packages within the celery load. CBP also did not explain whether investigators believe the operator knew about the narcotics. No shipper, receiver or broker appeared in the announcement. Further details could emerge as the federal investigation continues.
FreightWaves reached out to U.S. Customs and Border Protection for additional information about the seizure and ongoing investigation. The agency had not provided a response before publication. This article will be updated if CBP provides additional details.
Why It Matters
Commercial trucks carry enormous volumes of legitimate freight across the southern border every day. Drug seizures show why transportation professionals need strong controls surrounding identities, equipment, cargo and shipment details.
Click here for more articles on cargo theft and freight fraud by Phil Brink.
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